A week or so ago, our neighbour Maricarmen had invited us to go with her and her family out to the campo. So with some anticipation we left about two in the afternoon, following their car to our destination.We left Olvera, drove through Pruna towards Moron but took a right turn off the main road. We drove on for a few kilometres more before arriving at a small hamlet called La Romera.The Venta (bar) was packed with people (more later) but this was not to be our final destination.
We briefly stopped to allow a couple of young girls to jump into Maricarmen's car before proceeding out of the hamlet onto the inevitable dirt track into the campo.
Driving on for a few kilometres we eventually arrived at a Cortijo (farm). We parked up and realised that we were at the home of one of Maricarmen's brother's Juan, who we had met on a previous visit to the campo in March.
The picture right is of Juan and a mother and her ten week old foal.
As always, we were welcomed as part of the family and were immediately taken to be shown the stabled "Caballo's" (horses) of which Juan was extremely proud.
They were lovely animals and are apparently shown in the fiesta's and feria's that take place in Sevilla.
The cortijo was a haven for wildlife with peacocks (pavo real) in abundance plus ducks, a swan, chickens, geese, quails and an aviary of birds.
In addition to the stabled horse's, there were thirty more in the fields around.
Juan tried to encourage Anne to ride this horse but she feebly made some excuse about being short in the leg department and politely declined.
We were shown the barn where several "traps" for the horses were stored. This is Paco junior being led around on one of the smaller one's by his father, also called Paco.
The cortijo had a swimming pool which on a hot day was was really inviting. The children took full advantage as did Maricarmen in the picture below. Who needs a costume!. She is definately loco (mad) but a more generous, fun loving and kind person you could not wish to meet.
Paco was happy just to spray everyone with the hosepipe.
One of the farm dogs, a lovely placid Pyranean.
This is Nellie (apologies for the spelling) in the red shirt, Juan's wife, who generously prepared a snack of home made goats cheese (cabra queso), chorizo, biscuits, wine and beer. It was delicious, especially the cheese.
We obviously showed our liking for the cheese, devouring all that was put in front of us, so Nellie kindly gave us one to take home.
After a fantastic afternoon, we eventually left about seven and headed back.
However, we stopped briefly at the Venta we had passed earlier in the day for a few beers. It was a lot quieter now.
At the back of the Venta was a disused swimming pool which was now the home of this family of geese.......or are they ducks?.
This picture and the one below were taken by Paco junior at the Venta. A talent for the future perhaps !.
Maricarmen pictured with Mari, her cuñada (sister-in-law), who was also at the cortijo with her family.
Mari's youngest daughter with Paco.
Mari's eldest daughter Laura.Once again, the welcome and generosity we received from Juan, Nellie and her family was more than we could possibly repay and typical of all that we have found here in Olvera.
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